Trauma Therapy

and Resolution

Before we talk about trauma resolution, it is important to ask:

What is trauma?

Trauma held in the body and not in the story.

Trauma is too much, too often, too fast, or without the right support.

Trauma is an inability to be in the here and now.

Trauma is a feeling of helplessness in the face of (real or perceived) threat.

Polyvagal Nerve & Trauma

The vagus nerve is a key part of the parasympathetic nervous system, regulating vital functions like heart rate, digestion, and breathing. It plays a crucial role in managing stress responses by activating the "rest-and-digest" system and counteracting the "fight-or-flight" response. In the context of trauma, the vagus nerve's function is linked to the social engagement system, a set of physiological responses that help us connect with others, such as facial expressions, eye contact, and vocal tones. Trauma, particularly when chronic or overwhelming, can disrupt vagal tone, leading to an overactive fight-or-flight response or a freeze response, where the body becomes immobilized or dissociates. This dysregulation can impair emotional processing and social interactions, making it harder to recover from traumatic experiences. However, practices like deep breathing, mindfulness, and social connection can help activate the vagus nerve, restore balance to the nervous system, and support healing from trauma by re-engaging the body's innate capacity for regulation and connection.

Learn more by watching this video:

“The essence of trauma is disconnection…so the real question is: how did we get separated and how do we re-connect?”

- Gabor Mate

Trauma Resolution Approaches

Trauma resolution is a way of calling oneself back to our birthright of feeling at ease in our bodies and in the world, of  re-membering our innate wholeness.

Somatic Experiencing (SE)

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a naturalistic approach developed by Peter Levine, PhD that  works directly with a nervous system impacted by traumatic or overwhelming events to support it in coming back into equilibrium. Based on his years studying animals in the wild and garnering the wisdom of traditional healing approaches, SE is based on an understanding that there is a physiological response that occurs within the body that must also be addressed through the body. In response to trauma and/or overwhelming or sustained stress, our autonomic nervous systems automatically move into highly charged states (often referred to as Fight, Flight, Freeze), preparing the body for self-protection and survival. Unfortunately, our bodies (and minds as they are inter-connected) can become chronically stuck in these states, resulting in a wide array of symptoms, such as:

Potential Symptoms Associated with Trauma:

  • Hyper-vigelence

  • Rage & aggression

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Migraines

  • Digestive Problems (such as IBS)

  • Chronic Pain

  • Chronic Fatigue

  • Addiction

SE is particularly effective in addressing shock trauma is often described as the response of our nervous system to being faced with a mortal threat to our survival. These may include a single overwhelming event such as exposure to such things as natural disasters, car accidents, rape, in-escpabable attack, surgeries and other invasive medical procedures, and exposure to horror such as soldiers at war. Shock trauma more commonly is connected to our current diagnosis of PTSD.

Neuro-Affective Relational Model (NARM)

NARM is currently the only approach designed to specifically treat the impacts of C-PTSD, particularly those that are relational and emotional. It is non-regressive and both a bottom-up and top-down approach to healing from developmental trauma, meaning that it is informed by polyvagal theory and somatic interventions while also interweaving the thinking mind and personality. NARM addresses the impossible choice individuals are often faced with regarding two of our basic needs as humans: to stay attached and connected to our attachment figures/communities AND to separate and individuate one’s sense of self. Through NARM your attachment system and nervous system are supported in navigating this dilemma to build capacity to have a new way to approach yourself and the world.

Common symptoms of Developmental trauma or C-PTSD:

Negative self-concept/Shame

Fear of Emotional & Physical Intimacy

Codependency/Caretaking 

Difficulty merging sex & love

Disconnection from body & intuition

Global Distrust of others and/or self

Hyper-focus on self-image

Control Issues & Rigidity

Addiction

NARM was created to address Developmental trauma is the result of on-going, repeated exposure to environmental failures that results in a disturbance to both the nervous system’s natural functioning and the development and flourishing of the personality or self. This “environmental failure” can occur when we do not feel our authentic self is valued and accepted, requiring us to forfeit a connection to ourselves to maintain an attachment to something or someone necessary for our survival. This can occur in one’s family of origin, religious community, peer group, or by way of ethnic and cultural devaluation, poverty and systemic legal injustices to name just a few.